SUNY Fredonia Officially Opens New Fitness Center

March 1, 2013

FREDONIA - The State University at Fredonia recently held a ribbon cutting for the Blue Devil Fitness Center.

Reflecting also on the university's commitment to sustainability, Virginia Horvath, university president, said the concept includes the "way each (person) sustains themselves," and that the new center draws students into an "inviting and exciting place." She also remembered as a young person taking very seriously exercises in school as part of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and said she hoped the new fitness center would "inspire us all."

Among the speakers were state Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean, and state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Chautauqua County. Young called returning to campus, "a real trip down memory lane for me," noting recent construction projects she has been involved with including the Science Center and Campus and Community Children's Center, and celebrating what she called the new "facility of fitness." Goodell came equipped for the occasion, bringing along climbing ropes he had used climbing in the Berkshires as a college student. He said the new center reflects Fredonia's commitment to the development of the "whole student" desired by employers and communities. Goodell said fitness is more than a personal commitment, but reflects a "focus of where we want to be and the energy to get there. What a great addition to the Fredonia experience."

The fitness center is a 9,000-square-foot facility in the space which once housed the Dods Hall swimming pool. It consists of a two-sided rock climbing wall with auto-belay and 107 pieces of new equipment - 18 treadmills, 10 cross trainers, 25 elliptical machines, five adaptive motion trainers, four recumbent bikes, four upright bikes, one upper body ergometer, 25 selecterized weight machines, one Smith machine, eight adjustable benches, three abdominal benches, three heavy duty power racks with platforms, plus over 6,500 pounds of free weights. There are also 10 medicine balls, 10 exercise balls, 30 resistance bands, and 20 workout mats.

University officials are confident the long-awaited addition will enhance campus life and help with recruitment across all student populations.

"The design and equipment selection," said Megan Valentine, assistant director of athletics, "were tailored to fit the needs and desires of all Fredonia State students ranging from the occasional user to club and varsity sport student-athletes. Furthermore, with research linking physical activity to increased academic performance, the center can only help us in achieving this desirable end. I'm thrilled that we now have the opportunity to offer this enhanced experience for our students."